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Wireless DCC with DynamisAn introduction to the use and benefits of the

Bachmann Dynamis wireless system by Nigel Burkin

INTRODUCING DYNAMISot having the inconvenience of

cables connecting handsets to

panels in the layout fascia opens up

the enjoyment of layout operation. You can

stand exactly where operations are taking

place. The Dynamis DCC system package

(36-505) is an entry level set that will allow

you to enjoy that freedom. It is a fully-

fledged DCC system capable offering 4-digit

addressing, control of up to 100 accessories

(25 accessory decoders of 4 outputs for

each), control of 20 mobile decoder

functions and a 2.5 amp power rating which

should be sufficient for six modern

standard locomotives equipped with 5-pole

skew wound motors to be operated at the

same time. Dynamis has been used on my

own portable N gauge layout and the fleet

of 20 or so locomotives and multiple units

in contact with the track, with three in

operation at one time does not exceed the

current rating of 2.5 amps.

The entry level set comes complete with an

advanced handheld wireless handset (called

a throttle or cab because it represents the

driving controls of a locomotive), a safety

lanyard (so to avoid dropping the throttle)

together with the base station/receiver

assembly, a wall plug transformer and an

instruction booklet.

The entry level set is an important part of

the Dynamis system because it is the heart

of Dynamis. The base station (labelled on

the casing as the ‘Command Station’)

contains the command station and booster

that are the key components of any DCC

system. In making the entry level set the

core component of the system, it only takes

a hardware upgrade, the Pro Box, to

dramatically expand Dynamis with many

additional features and benefits. At the same

time, the Dynamis Command Station box

does not become an ancillary controller of

limited value after the Pro Box has been

purchased, which is sometimes the case

with other DCC systems. Nothing is

thrown away or made redundant when

upgrading with a Pro Box.

The low cost of the entry point Dynamis

set makes it the perfect way to make a start

with wireless DCC and with its supplied

transformer together with advanced DCC

features included in the set at the start, the

system beats many other entry level

packages. Plus, there’s the added interest of

wireless control using infrared technology

together with a core system based on ESU

ECoS DCC technology which is tried,

proven and highly regarded. Dynamis (and

the Pro Box) has an NMRA conformance

seal, the symbol for which is displayed on

the box. NMRA conformance is highly

valued in the DCC community and

indicates that a good level of DCC

compatibility from the command station, to

track and decoders has been achieved.

SO WHAT DOES WIRELESSMEAN AND HOW DOESDYNAMIS MAKE THEOPERATING EXPERIENCEDIFFERENT?Wireless = no cables and flexible operation…

Removing a throttle cable from the

equation introduces some different factors

for layout operations. Roaming operation

becomes the norm. This means that you can

following a train around the layout, obeying

signals and enjoying the experience of train

driving right to the point where the action

is taking place. Another benefit is being

Wireless technology enhances layout operations by nottethering controls to connection panels in the layout fascia.You can move to any point on the layout where operations,such as shunting, take place.

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able to observe operations on parts of the

layout otherwise inaccessible unless a

tethered throttle was put down

momentarily. This is helpful when checking

for faults or observing the passage of trains

over a point on the track where

derailments are taking place so a repair can

be made. In short, wireless operation is the

ultimate in flexibility of train control and

can increase the enjoyment of layout

operation considerably.

Wireless throttles require power and

batteries are the obvious choice. The

Dynamis throttle accepts four AAA

batteries that last some time, especially if

operators remember to switch the throttle

off during breaks and after the operating

session has concluded. However, when

planning an operating session, remember to

have a good supply of fresh batteries to

hand because you can guarantee that at

least one set will die during an evening of

operation. The Dynamis handset will take

rechargeable batteries, so have a ‘spent

battery’ container to hand near the layout

during operating sessions if using

rechargeable batteries.

THE CONTROLLER(THROTTLE)Only one controller can be supported by

the entry level set even through more than

one train can be set moving at a time.

Control will be restricted to one train even

if two or more are running on separate

circuits. The Dynamis system stores up to

40 locomotive addresses in a ‘roster’ stack;

the numbers being recorded as locomotives

are called up. There is the option to enter

identification names in Dynamis for easy

locomotive identification. Switching from

loco to loco is simple when the roster

stack holds the various locomotives’

identity. The Pro Box enhances much of

this, but more on that later!

The Dynamis handset is quite a sophisticated

beast by DCC standards; incorporating

ergonomic design, a joystick controller and a

large, clear LCD screen that is back-lit. A

great deal of information on the control of a

train, including a sliding scale and numeric

read-out for locomotive speed steps is

displayed. Despite the high level of

sophistication, the handsets are intuitive to

use and provides one button, one touch

control for all the important features such as

double heading (consisting) and turnout

control selection. Newcomers to DCC

should find the handsets enjoyable to use.

The use of extensive menus for operational

features is becoming less of a feature in

modern throttles and single button presses

for turnout (accessory) decoder control,

lights and so on makes it easy to use and

closer to the controls of full-size

locomotives (except turnout control, of

course, which is a convenient addition for

railway modelling). There is a menu in the

throttle for entering data such a locomotive

identities and that is simple to navigate too.

The joystick provides locomotive control,

push it forward and the locomotive

accelerates according to the decoder

settings. Pull the joystick back and speed is

lost. The handset supports 28 and 128

speed steps, the latter is better for finer

levels of locomotive control. To select from

the locomotive stack in one motion, push

the joystick to one side or the other to

scroll through the saved locomotive

identities. Choosing options, be it entering a

locomotive or accessory decoder address

or a saved locomotive address, is simple

through a single button press for enter as

indicated by a tick on the LCD screen.

IR RECEIVERSLocating the Command Station correctly

with the receiver mounted on top when

using the entry level set is very important

to ensure there is a clear line of sight

between Dynamis handset and the receiver.

There is always the chance of loosing

contact between receiver and handset, even

allowing for the signal bouncing off light

coloured walls. When signal loss does

occur, the selected locomotive will run as if

a tethered throttle had been unplugged - it

will run in accordance to the last change on

the throttle. To avoid problems should

contact be lost for more than a very short

period of time, the system has a ‘Track

Timeout’ that is a timed delay between the

loss contact and the track power being cut.

This ensures that only small interruptions

will spoil the enjoyment of using the

system. The timeout period can be adjusted

to suit individual requirements.

To prevent such interruptions, locate

receivers as high up the wall of the layout

room as you can and install additional

receivers using the IR Expansion box and

cables should there be any risk of loosing

contact due to a corner location, layout

back scene or other obstruction. The Pro

Box package includes the IR Expansion box

and an additional IR receiver.

LIMITATIONS OF THE ENTRY-LEVEL SET:The Dynamis entry-level set does not have a

programming or service track output, (‘Pro

Box’ provides all DCC programming modes

and readout required for advanced CV

programming). Address programming is

through the main track output. While this is

not a problem for small layouts operating only

a handful of locomotives using short 2-digit

addresses, the modeller should be aware that

any and all locomotive decoders in contact

with track power at the time a programming

instruction with a 4-digit address is broadcast

will receive and act upon the instruction.

Consequently, all but the intended recipient

of the programming instruction should be

removed from the layout. This avoids having a

fleet of locos all taking the same 4-digit

address with all the inconvenience that can

cause when a new model is introduced! To

avoid the inconvenience of removing all

locomotives from the layout, consider adding

an isolated siding or programming track to

the layout for Ops Programming. A double

pole, double throw switch should be

included in the power leads circuit between

the layout and Dynamis so power can be

switched to the track to create a

programming zone isolated from the rest of

the layout. There is no longer any need to

remove every locomotive from the track to

programme a new 4-digit address or other

CV change to a new locomotive or decoder.

2: The Bachmann Dynamis entry-level

system is a 2.5 amp set which includes a

command station, receiver, hand held

wireless throttle and wall mount power

supply. This article looks at the

fundamentals of Dynamis and how to put it

to work.

3: The Pro Box expands the entry-level

Dynamis system with advanced features

including multiple train control and

advanced programming using a service

track. The expansion set comes with the

Pro Box itself, an additional IR Receiver,

cables and an adapter for expanding the IR

receiver network.

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4: The same handset (throttle) supplied with

the entry level set is used when the system

is upgraded with Pro Box. Features of the

wireless IR handset include:

A: Alpha numeric key pad.

B: Headlight button.

C: Joystick locomotive power controller –

up/down to increase or reduce speed, left

or right to scroll through the locomotive

stack.

D: Direction button.

E: Emergency stop button and short circuit

cut-out re-set.

F: On-off switch.

G: Locomotive address selection button for

entering a new numeric address.

H: Headlight or running light indicator.

I: Indicator shows the stop feature is

activated.

J: Two visual scales for measuring speed

steps on the large back-lit LCD screen.

K: Lanyard attachment to the base so the

handset can be held the right way up.

5: You will need batteries for the handset!

While the first set of batteries are

supplied with the handset, rechargeable

batteries will be the best solution in the

long term. Should there be a need to

store the system for any period of time,

remove the batteries to save power and

reduce the risk of leakage.

6: The Command Station unit supplied with

the entry point set is the heart of the

system even when a Pro Box is attached.

The ports in the rear are simple: a power

supply and two outputs for track power

bus offering two options for making a

connection to the layout. Note that there is

no separate programming track port – the

track output port becomes the

programming (service) track port when a

Pro Box is added.

7: The IR receiver sits on top of the command

station when set up in entry-level mode.

INTRODUCING THE PROBOX EXTENSION PACKThe Pro Box (36-508) is an extension pack

to the entry level Dynamis package (36-

505) that adds many more features to the

system. It enables the use of up to four

wireless throttles at the same time and the

addition of more receivers (36-509) to

improve infrared coverage thus increasing

the system’s functionality dramatically.

The Pro Box package includes the Pro Box

itself that has the same type of casing as the

command station. Both the command

station and Pro Box are labelled on the

casing, so there should be no confusion. The

two plug neatly together, with the

command station on top. Also supplied is an

additional IR Receiver, an IR Extension

module providing four ports into which IR

Receiver cables are plugged. No additional

handsets are supplied with the Pro Box kit,

although they are available separately.

Pro Box provides additional features

including full programming capability that

allows the readout of CV values as well as

programming on a separate, electrically

isolated programming or ‘service’ track.

Advanced programming is also possible on

the main layout track – no longer are the

programming commands ‘broadcast’ so

every decoder will pick them up, but are

targeted to a specific locomotive. Pro Box

provides ECoS compatibility too – there is

an ECoS port in the back of the Pro Box so

ECoS devices can be connected to

Dynamis, an area that needs further

investigation by the author!

Upon starting the system for the first time,

the throttles are synchronised with the Pro

Box as they are switched on so any

locomotive roster originally entered into

the throttle used with the Dynamis system

prior to the upgrade is shared with all

throttles. Synchronisation is automatic and

may take several minutes. The same can

happen if a throttle goes out of range from

the Pro Box and then returns after it has

been deleted from the system. A request

for synchronisation will be made at

reconnection. During synchronisation,

throttles must not be switched off.

The instructions should be read carefully

regarding the setting of handset IDs,

synchronisation and the correct order of

starting up and shutting down. Also supplied

is a simple jumper for setting the system

address, called ‘BaseID’ to avoid conflict

with similar systems should the layout be

used at an exhibition. The BaseID jumper

default setting is zero and does not need to

be changed unless there is another Dynamis

system in use nearby. To change the BaseID,

fit the supplied jumper plug to the 8-pin

terminal on the top of the Pro Box. The

terminal offers four BaseID address options

(0 to 3), three of which are set with

jumpers.

With more than one handset connected to

the system, the process of taking control of

a locomotive being driven by another

operator (also called stealing) is introduced.

A locomotive can be ‘stolen’ simply by

selecting it and operating any one control

or function.

8: The Pro Box is a module built with the

same casing as the command station. There

are two multi pin connectors in the top.

The 8-pin connector on the right is used to

set the BaseID address if the system is used

within range of another Dynamis system.

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9: The rear of the Pro Box with track

power bus port and ECoS link port.

10: A view of the underside of the

command station. It sits on the Pro Box

when one is used and communication

between the two is by a multi-pin

connector in the base of the command

station (C). Note the power supply port

(A) and track power bus port (B).

11: Key to expanding the IR Receiver

network is the IR Extension module that

sits atop the command station. It allows up

to five IR Receivers to be connected to the

system including one located directly on

top of the command station.

12: The Command Station sits neatly on top

of the Pro Box. There are no cable

connections between the two and take care

not to bend any pins!

PUTTING DYNAMIS TOWORK:The perfect layout to demonstrate Dynamis

and Pro Box is my small N gauge portable

layout called ‘Dudley Heath’. It has two

scenic sides with the fiddle yard located at

one end. Overall, it is 100 inches in length

and 33 inches wide, a typical sized layout

for home and exhibition use. The base

station and Pro Box were placed in a tray

fitted to the control panel which was

designed to safely accommodate a control

system – it is important to have a safe place

to accommodate the DCC system.

To start, the basic Dynamis set was installed

with the power lead plugged in the back of

the box. The ends of the power bus were

screwed into the supplied plug and that was

plugged into the rear of the base station.

Once the single receiver module was

plugged in the top of the box, the system

was ready for power and operations. The

2.5 amp power rating was more than

adequate to power the layout and multiple

train operation. I ran one train continuously

on one line whilst the other was under

control. There’s enough power for two

main line trains to run and control of

shunting in the yard. Should I need more

power in the future, I can upgrade using a

5amp booster and introducing a second

power district.

Now, should a friend or two turn up

wanting to join in the fun, the basic system

must be expanded with the Pro Box to

enable the use of additional controllers. By

this stage, due to the double-sided nature

of Dudley Heath, I determined that an

additional receiver would be beneficial too.

To install Pro Box, I disconnected all of the

leads and unplugged the transformer. The

single receiver was removed from the top

of the Dynamis base station too. Closely

following the instructions, the Command

Station box was fitted to the top of the Pro

Box. The IR Extension box was placed on

top with the original receiver plugged to

the top of that. The additional receiver and

lead supplied with Pro Box was connected

to the IR Extension box with the lead fed

along the layout to expand coverage.

Next came the connections to the layout

wiring itself. Dudley Health was built with a

separate programming track. The two wires

feeding the programming track were

connected to the track port in the Command

Station. The power bus leads plug into the Pro

Box. Upon powering up, synchronisation takes

place between Pro Box and the throttles.

Once complete, friends are able to operate

trains independently of the original throttle

supplied with the starter package.

In the next article on Dynamis, I will look

at the basic wiring of a layout together

with installing layout programming

accessory decoders. After all, there’s so

much more to this system than may be

covered in one article!

13: Setting up the entry-level package on

the Author’s N gauge layout Dudley Heath.

A small screwdriver is required to connect

wires to the screw connectors supplied

with Dynamis.

14: Should friends turn up wanting to enjoy

the layout, a Pro Box is added enabling the

control of up to four trains simultaneously

using wireless throttles.

15: To improve coverage for the throttles,

an additional receiver was installed using an

IR Extension box and cable.

16: The setting up is complete with IR

Extension box and cable (A) plugged into the

Command Station that sits on top of the Pro

Box. The programming track is plugged into the

Command Station (B) and the layout power

bus into the track port in the Pro Box (C). The

power supply for Dynamis is still plugged into

the Command Station box (D).

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17: It is good practice to label your wiring!

18: The additional IR Receiver is located

for maximum coverage. It is important to

have clear lines of sight between the

receivers and handsets to minimise the

risk of signal loss.

19: The benefits of DCC can be enjoyed

using Dynamis including sound and

constantly illuminated and independently

controlled running lights.

20: The addition of the Pro Box makes

multiple train operation with more than one

wireless throttle possible. The design of the

author’s layout supports the simultaneous

operation of three trains: two on the main

line and one in the yard, requiring the Pro Box

expansion to the entry level package and two

additional throttles.

USING THE HANDSETS(THROTTLES) IN PICTURES:21: The standard screen showing a selected

locomotive, numbered 6008. Symbols

showing on the screen are as follows:

A: Power is switched off.

B: Diesel loco symbol.

C: Locomotive 6008 is selected.

D: Locomotive name as set by the system.

E: Speed steps selected and current speed.

F: Speed steps bar.

G: Locomotive address selection.

H: Main Menu.

22: Accessory control is activated by

pressing the left hand button (E).

A: Accessory number and device number.

B: Turnout indicator and associated button

(reverse or thrown position).

C: Turnout indicator and associated button

(normal position).

D: Menu button.

23: Locomotive naming option is found in

the menu.

24: Renaming a locomotive for simple

identification in the roster stack.

A: Delete old name using back button.

Alpha numeric key pad is used to enter a

new name.

B: Back button.

C: Action cancel button.

D: Confirm by pressing the ‘tick’ key.

25: Changing the locomotive symbol is

simple. Use the menu once again.

A: Use the button to switch between

symbol choices.

B: Each symbol is clearly displayed.

C: Use the ‘tick’ key to confirm the

selection.

26: The symbol will be displayed on the

main screen together with other

information relating to the driving of the

selected locomotive.

A: Note the low battery level indicator!

B: Locomotive symbol.

C: Consisting symbol and related button

(add to consist).

D: Menu button and symbol.

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27: Speed step changes are made through

the menu – select the edit speed screen.

Changes are specific to the selected

locomotive.

28: A: Speed step choices are made using

the selection buttons.

B: Cancel choice.

C: Confirm choice.

29: Locomotive address selection menu

offers either Ops Programming (On Main

Track).

30: A second setting offers programming or

service track programming of the

locomotive address.

31: Selecting a new address, using figures 0-

9999 via service track programming.

A: Enter the new address using the keypad.

B: Mistakes can be deleted using the back

button.

C: Confirm the new address by pressing the

programming button.

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Product DetailsBachmann Dynamis DCC 2.5A entry-level

set with transformer and one controller.

Catalogue number 36-505.

Bachmann EZ Command Pro Box.

Catalogue number: 36-508

Additional handset (throttle).

Catalogue number: 36-507.

Additional wireless IR receiver.

Catalogue number: 36-509.

More helpful information can be found atwww.bachmann.co.uk/service/digital_top.php